The Recap: LPL Week 5
Riot·3/24/2014, 6:38:06 PM·0 votes·300 views
World Elite and Invictus Gaming barely dented their respective group stages at IEM Katowice, but they returned to LPL ready to draw on their international experiences. After Edward Gaming put down Royal Club, the old rivals split even. On Saturday, LGD Gaming took out Positive Energy, and then Invictus Gaming gave OMG their first loss of LPL Spring, only to find themselves on the back foot in Game 2. To close out the week, Royal Club and Energy Pacemaker split even, while EDG survived their could-have-been sister team, WE, in a difficult 2-0 series.
In addition to performing the usual duties of an AD carry—and performing them well—NaMei also traverses Summoner's Rift with a target strapped to his head. While his teammates zone and peel brilliantly, some credit must go to NaMei for maintaining the second highest KDA of any player who has played since Week 1 in LPL at 3.1. He was a big part of Edward Gaming's four wins this week, and his appearance on this list is long overdue.
illuSion
Invictus Gaming's jungler has appeared on our list before, but it's hard not to notice his impressive early game performances in all four games his team played this week. He gave LPL a demonstration in how to invade in the 2014 season and how to use Pantheon jungle efficiently. We expect it to grow just as rampantly in China as it has in the west now that illuSion has brought it forward.
Koro1
As the only team to win four out of four games this week, Edward Gaming must attribute its success to more than just NaMei. Koro1, like illuSion, has appeared among our top players before, but it's hard to get over how he easily zones out at least three members of the opposition. Koro1's tank play is a major factor of EDG's success in the beefy meta.
As the only team in the league to still not have pulled out a 2-0, Invictus Gaming has looked less than impressive. Despite their strengths against World Elite earlier this week, few expected iG to make waves against the undefeated OMG. With an innovative composition, a vice grip on the early game map control, and pressure forced onto the bottom lane, iG pried OMG's first defeat from their clutches.
After watching Royal Club struggle with LeY as AD carry for the team, many would rejoice to see Uzi's return to the position. Unfortunately, whether due to overconfidence or a need to regain his footing with a new support player, Uzi debuted with a 0/4/0 score on his favorite champion, Vayne. In the second game, his Sivir play managed to give his team to a win, but he still lacked the definite spark we remember from last season. Considering the developments he had been making as a mid, it's hard to see the swap revert, but with Uzi's versatility, it may still pan out.
For more updates on 2014 LPL Spring, check out lolesports.com.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
World Elite vs Invictus Gaming Game 2 - Get the VoD here While Invictus Gaming typically breaks apart in the second game of a series, they held strong to put up a fight against World Elite to try for their first 2-0. It didn't exactly work out, but both teams played well, and this game established the theme of the week in back and forth steals and snipes as WE were forced out of their comfort zones and into an aggressive stance to take the victory. This game also showcases 2014 LPL Spring's first Irelia, which did remarkably well in PDD's hands despite the ultimate loss. OMG vs Invictus Gaming Game 1 - Get the VoD here Invictus Gaming taught a crash course in how to topple a giant by giving OMG their first loss. Not only did iG play well, but they brought out champions OMG struggled to play against due to inexperience: Xerath and Varus. Kid achieved several snipes, and Zzitai's Xerath made every fight unsafe from his Rite of the Arcane. Not that OMG made it easy. As iG still struggled to close, OMG put forth smart plays that showed why they're currently the top of the LPL, but iG eventually pulled together for a well-deserved win. Edward Gaming vs World Elite Game 1 - Get the VoD here Few face-offs contain as much tension as the one between Edward Gaming and World Elite: both on and off the rift. Drama aside, this was the second longest game in LPL this season, and it featured four Barons - with each team stealing or beating down two apiece - and six Dragons. Both teams laid claim to at least two inhibitors of the opposition, and only quick delegation on Edward Gaming's part saved them from losing to "winions." This was a slug fest fitting of WE's and EDG's off-camera rivalry and a must watch if you haven't already had the pleasure.BIG PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NaMei
In addition to performing the usual duties of an AD carry—and performing them well—NaMei also traverses Summoner's Rift with a target strapped to his head. While his teammates zone and peel brilliantly, some credit must go to NaMei for maintaining the second highest KDA of any player who has played since Week 1 in LPL at 3.1. He was a big part of Edward Gaming's four wins this week, and his appearance on this list is long overdue.
illuSion
Invictus Gaming's jungler has appeared on our list before, but it's hard not to notice his impressive early game performances in all four games his team played this week. He gave LPL a demonstration in how to invade in the 2014 season and how to use Pantheon jungle efficiently. We expect it to grow just as rampantly in China as it has in the west now that illuSion has brought it forward.
Koro1
As the only team to win four out of four games this week, Edward Gaming must attribute its success to more than just NaMei. Koro1, like illuSion, has appeared among our top players before, but it's hard to get over how he easily zones out at least three members of the opposition. Koro1's tank play is a major factor of EDG's success in the beefy meta.
SURPRISE OF THE WEEK
Invictus Gaming defeats OMG
As the only team in the league to still not have pulled out a 2-0, Invictus Gaming has looked less than impressive. Despite their strengths against World Elite earlier this week, few expected iG to make waves against the undefeated OMG. With an innovative composition, a vice grip on the early game map control, and pressure forced onto the bottom lane, iG pried OMG's first defeat from their clutches.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK
Uzi's return to the bottom lane
After watching Royal Club struggle with LeY as AD carry for the team, many would rejoice to see Uzi's return to the position. Unfortunately, whether due to overconfidence or a need to regain his footing with a new support player, Uzi debuted with a 0/4/0 score on his favorite champion, Vayne. In the second game, his Sivir play managed to give his team to a win, but he still lacked the definite spark we remember from last season. Considering the developments he had been making as a mid, it's hard to see the swap revert, but with Uzi's versatility, it may still pan out.
For more updates on 2014 LPL Spring, check out lolesports.com.